Tips on Buying and Installing Car Parts

2 More Common Fallacies About Car Maintenance

A few weeks ago, I had written an article that described a few common myths about car maintenance. Millions of people are fooled into believing those myths by savvy marketing and less-than-scrupulous mechanics. For example, the idea that your vehicle must have regular oil changes every 3,000 miles is an absolute falsehood. Similarly, your technician’s advice to have your radiator flushed once a year is more for his bottom line than for preserving your cooling system. Despite this, a lot of drivers spend unnecessary time and money following such advice.

Today, I’m going to describe 2 more common fallacies about car maintenance. These are myths that are perpetuated not only by your local mechanic, but by your dealership’s service technicians. Learn them and save your money.

#1 – Frequent Tune-Ups

Unless you’re driving a vehicle that was built when disco was still the rage, your car’s engine probably doesn’t need a tune-up. The service was performed in order to adjust the engine and moving parts during a time when carburetors were installed in every model. Today, the only car parts that need “tuning up” are the spark plugs. And those just need to be replaced every 50,000 miles. Everything else – the ignition, fuel injection, and idling of the engine – is controlled by computers.

Unfortunately, dealerships continue to tell their customers that they need to bring their vehicles in for a tune-up after 60,000 miles. That’s not surprising. After all, it increases their revenue.

#2 – New Air Filters

Think back to the last time you took your vehicle in for an oil change. Did the mechanic suggest a new air filter? Did he subtly imply that your car might sustain damage if you neglected to replace it? This is a common misconception. First, the air filter catches debris before it can enter the engine. Over time, the filter can accumulate so much dust and dirt that very little air can flow through. At that point, it’s a good idea to replace it. But, it takes a long time for the air filter to reach that stage.

Of course, that doesn’t stop auto technicians from recommending the replacement every time you visit. From their perspective, you come to their shop ready to spend $20 on an oil change and end up spending $40. What’s not to like?

Auto Maintenance Education Saves Money

Your vehicle requires ongoing preventative maintenance. That’s what helps ensure that it will last. But, it’s too easy to waste valuable time and money following bad advice from mechanics and dealership technicians. Remember, their goal is to increase their sales; many of them are willing to do it at your expense.

Chances are, your vehicle doesn’t need regular tune-ups. Nor do you need to replace the air filter as often as your mechanic might suggest. As always, follow your owners manual. It’s the best way to keep your car in great condition.

Where is the best place to store my car if the garage is full?

If you cannot get your vehicle under cover in a garage then your options are fairly limited when it comes to protecting the look of your vehicle. Paintwork is especially vulnerable to the elements and needs protection from rain, sun, animals and people so it makes sense to look at a car protection cover to provide a robust layer of all round protection for your pride and joy.

Modern car protection covers are made from durable and flexible materials which perform a variety of protective functions. They will be waterproof and so keep your bodywork from coming into contact with water which will cause discoloration of your paint job and if left unchecked, rust which will ravage the look of your car very quickly and cost dearly to put right. They will also be able to block out the harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet or UV radiation; the same rays which cause sunburn in people also cause damage to your paint job and the sun is the major cause of a faded paint job which always looks unsightly and there is nothing you can do to remedy it once it has happened.

Prevention is definitely better than cure in this instance!

It is not just the weather that you need to deal with; there are a host of other things that can damage the look and body of your car such as children playing near the car; the cat deciding the hood is a great place to sunbathe; or a tree shedding leaves under which you have parked the car. All of these and many others will contribute to your car becoming scratched, discoloured, dented and acquiring the odd ding or two depending on how much in harm’s way you have parked the vehicle.

Make sure the car cover is therefore strong and robust enough to deal with minor scrapes and hits from animals, trees and people.

One factor is frequently underestimated and that is bird droppings. Bird droppings are highly acidic and should never be allowed to remain in contact with your car’s paint job. They will react chemically with your paintwork and damage the coating as well as the paint itself causing the formation of discoloured spots, dulled paintwork and if left untreated create opportunities for water to get to the underlying bodywork and cause very serious rust damage.

You need to be able to rely on the protective abilities of the car cover you choose but it needs to be able to fit the vehicle easily and be secured so that it can be left unattended for several weeks or even months. More than this, once it is not in use it must be capable of being stored for long periods of time without losing these qualities – older materials for instance, have a tendency to crack along fold creases and this allows the elements to gain access to your vehicle underneath.

The issue is not so much, where is the best place to store your car outside of the garage but what else is there that you can effectively store your car in. A durable, quality car protection cover will cocoon your car, truck or boat and provide an added layer of protection so it continues to look good and is kept damage free for as long as you own it.

About the Author

Ryan Draving is the president of Empire Covers, a leading provider of car covers, truck covers, and other vehicle covers. They can be found online at: http://www.empirecovers.com

Auto Emissions Standards Revisited

In a recent article, I described the various types of pollutants that are found in your car’s exhaust. You might remember that there are several components, including your catalytic converter, which help control the level of those pollutants. When those components fail to do their job, the amount of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and other particulates within your vehicle’s exhaust rises.

If you live in a state that doesn’t require periodic exhaust testing, there’s little need for concern. After all, compliance with existing standards isn’t enforced. However, if you live in California or any other state that forces regular testing, you’ll need to know how to comply with the regulations imposed by your state. Below, I’ll briefly review how emissions testing started. Then, I’ll explain the different tiers of standards used and pollutants that are commonly regulated.

How It Started

A long time ago, a growing avalanche of research data began pointing to the problem of vehicle exhaust. In essence, researchers discovered that the materials billowing from our cars’ tailpipes were beginning to have an adverse effect upon the environment. They further argued that those same materials were having a health-related impact on people.

In response, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drafted recommendations and sent them to Congress. Many of the EPA’s recommendations were passed into law. Today, automakers are forced to produce vehicles that comply with existing regulations.

2 Tiers Of Emissions Standards

In the mid-1990′s, the emissions standards were far less stringent than they are today. They’re now considered “Tier 1″ standards. While they were a step in the right direction, they fell short of delivering the results needed to sufficiently clean the environment.

Beginning in 2004, Tier 2 standards went into effect. Among the many changes, 2 were especially noteworthy. First, there was a dramatic reduction in the level of pollutants that cars could emit. Second, large vehicles (for example, SUVs) were now being forced to comply with emissions regulations that were already enforced upon smaller cars.

Types Of Emissions

The Tier 2 regulations that went into effect in 2004 focus upon 5 main contaminants. They include non-methane organic gases, formaldehyde, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and various particulates. None of the 5 will be unfamiliar to those who have read my other columns. The important thing to realize is that emissions testing is a developing area. Last year, Congress determined that greenhouse gases that are produced as a result of an engine’s combustion should be controlled. As a result, the EPA is expected to add greenhouse gases to a Tier 3 list of standards.

New cars are already equipped with the means to comply with the Tier 2 rules. If you’re thinking about purchasing an early-model used vehicle, you may need to invest in a new catalytic converter or similar components. Check with your state’s regulations to be certain, and check for used car parts if you are required to make changes

When Your Car Breaks Down On The Road

If you’re like most drivers, you might neglect to maintain your car properly. Even though the owner’s manual spells out exactly the type of maintenance work you should have done on your vehicle, and when you should do it, millions of people don’t. After awhile, your car will send you a clear message that it feels neglected; the dashboard may light up, white smoke might start billowing from the exhaust, or it may simply sputter and die. When your car breaks down on the road, it’s important to have a plan of action.

Below, I’ll describe the basic tools you should have with you when your vehicle breaks down (don’t worry, I won’t turn you into a mechanic). I’ll also explain what you should do, given the circumstances.

Basic Survival Tools

First, always take your cell phone when you’re driving. Whether you’re involved in a traffic collision or you get a flat tire, having a cell phone means that you’ll be able to call a tow truck. Next, you should have a copy of all documents you’ll need in the event you get into an accident. That includes your vehicle registration, auto insurance policy, and phone numbers to call.

Invest in a can of tire sealant; you’d be surprised by how useful it can be. If you haven’t used your spare tire in years, it may not be suitable for replacing a flat. But, if you can manage to get your vehicle to a gas station, you can fill the flat tire and use the sealant to plug the leak. It’s not a long-term solution, but it can get you back on the road.

Finally, pack a blanket and bottled water. If your car breaks down, there’s no way to know how long the tow truck will take to arrive. Not only will the water keep you hydrated, but during the evening, you’ll have a way to keep warm while you wait.

What To Do When Your Car Has Trouble

Every situation is a little different, of course. For example, if you blow a tire, the engine will obviously keep running, but you should pull over anyway. On the other hand, if you notice lights starting to appear on the dashboard, that typically means an electrical part is failing. You can keep driving, but depending upon the part, you should find a repair garage as quickly as possible. If your vehicle overheats, you should definitely pull off the road; continuing to drive can damage the engine.

Preparing For A Break Down

In the end, be prepared for your car to break down. It’s always a hassle, but it happens to everyone, even if you’ve kept the parts under the hood well-maintained. Have your cell phone and copies of important documents with you. Also, pack a can of tire sealant, along with bottled water and a blanket. Then, if you experience a problem on the road, you’ll have everything you need to wait for the tow truck.

For more Car Related topics check out http://www.carslikeus.com/

Neophyte’s Guide To A Car’s Suspension System – Part 2

In Car Suspension System Part 1, we discussed the role of the shocks and springs in your vehicle’s suspension. I described their respective jobs and provided you with a rudimentary explanation regarding how they performed those jobs. Frankly, Part 1 was only meant to offer an overview, a bird’s eye perspective of the design. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at the springs. I’ll describe different systems, the purpose for which they’re used, and the end result of using them.

4 Types Of Systems

All vehicles use 1 of 4 different kinds of springs within the suspension design: coil, air, leaf, and torsion bars. Each provides inherent advantages and drawbacks. Let’s go through them in the order in which I’ve listed them.

Coils are the most widely-deployed of the 4 types, at least within vehicle suspensions that are designed for passengers. You might remember from Part 1 that their job is to absorb the impact of the road. Coils do that and more. They prop your car up, “suspending” it above the tires. In doing so, the coils work with the shocks, control arms, and joints in order to compress and expand an amount that is appropriate, given road conditions.

Air-powered units are relatively new and automakers have been including them within their higher-priced models. In a departure from conventional units, air systems use sensors and a compressor to modify the level of air loaded into the springs. The design allows for quicker response to road conditions, which delivers a more comfortable experience for the driver and passengers.

Leaf units are mostly used in heavy duty cars, trucks, and SUVs. They’re built with a unique design that bolts steel leaves onto a single component. Then, that component is attached to the rear axle. The advantage of this type of system is that they can distribute road impact along the vehicle’s frame more effectively than coils. The drawback is that they can be noisy and often need periodic maintenance.

Finally, torsion bars. They’re not actually springs; they’re steel bars that resist the force of the road upon the frame of your car. While springs compress and extend in order to absorb road impact, torsion bars reduce that impact by limiting the twist of the bars. They can be attached along the axle (that is, from driver to passenger side) or travel the length of the vehicle. You won’t find this type of suspension design on most sedans and passenger cars.

In Part 3 of this series, we’ll take a closer look at shock absorbers and how the contribute to your vehicle’s suspension.